This summer has been very wet and our South African furkids aren’t used to having to be indoors so much. As we all know, a bored dog becomes a naughty dog. So, how do you keep your furkid entertained indoors? Here are a couple of ideas.
Training commands
Furkids love learning. It builds their confidence, keeps them stimulated, and it’s just plain fun for them. Training your furkid in some basic commands also opens up a whole world of other games you can then play with him/her, as you will see below. So start with the basics of sit, stay, come, and fetch, then build from there.
If you enjoy a more guided approach there are some great online training courses or even just YouTube videos you can use.
Hide n seek / Sit, Stay, Repeat.
If your furkid understands sit, stay, and come, you can play a fun version of hide and seek with your furkid. Get your furbaby to sit and stay in a room then go and hide in another room. Call your furkid and have him/her look for you and find you. Praise your furkid, then repeat.
Treasure hunt (Hide n seek Treats)
This is a great scenting game for your furkid. A scenting game is any game where the pup needs to use his/her sense of smell to play the game. Make sure you are using treats with a strong scent. First, show your furkid where you are hiding the treat and let him/her take it out. Then you can progress to having your furkid sit and watch you while you hide a couple of treats in different spots around the room, and let him/her find the treats. Once they get how the game works you can even hide treats in different rooms of your house and let your furkid go on a treasure hunt to find all the treats. Change up the hiding places every time to keep it interesting for your furbaby.
Stair runs
If you have stairs in your house or building, running up and down the stairs with your furkid is not only a good way to tire him/her out, but also a good way for you to get some exercise with your pup. Please be aware of your furkid’s health and age when you consider this as a form of exercise.
Fetch
Fetch is a classic for a reason, it is always a winner with doggos. Indoor fetch, however, works best with small to medium dogs. Using softer toys to play fetch can also make this game a bit safer if your space is limited.
Advanced fetch
If you have taught your furkid the names of different objects in your house, you can sit in one room and ask your furkid to bring you objects from other rooms. You can even get your furkid to help with the laundry by teaching him/her to pick up clothing and drop it in the laundry basket.
Learning toy names
Teach your furkid the name of each of his/her toys. Not only is this fun mental stimulation for your furkid, but it can also flow into other games. You can place toys in different rooms of your house and then from one room ask your dog to bring you specific toys. Your furkid then needs to run around the house, looking in each room to find the correct toy and bring it to you. You can of course give your furkid a treat for each one he/she gets right. Another fun idea is to teach your dog to put each toy back in his/her toy basket. This is fun for your furkid and in the long run, it can help you keep the house tidy 😉
Tug-of-war
Playing tug-of-war is a great way for your doggo to get rid of excess energy. This is also a great game for small spaces and for large dogs to play indoors. If you have more than one furkid they can even play it with each other. Tug-of-war is a great opportunity to redirect inappropriate biting. So stick to the rule, NO hand-biting. If your furkid’s teeth touch your hand the game ends. Also remember to lighten the mood when your pup gets too serious and competitive.
Indoor Obstacle Course
If you have enough space in your house, setting up an obstacle course for your furkid is a super fun thing to do. First of all, your pup needs to be taught how to use an obstacle course, either through the use of treats or other positive reinforcement. This is a really fun activity for you both to do together. You can build an obstacle course where your doggo crawls under tables, jumps over chairs, and circles around other items. Get creative!
Which hand?
Put a treat in one hand, close both your hands into fists. Now let your furkid pick a hand by sniffing both your fists. If your furkid chooses correctly, give him/her the treat. If your furkid gets it wrong let him/her choose again. Remember it is all about having fun and learning.
Which cup?
Another fun game that is great for developing problem-solving skills is choosing the right cup game. Take 3 cups, turn them upside down and let your furkid watch you put a treat under one of them. Shuffle them in front of your pup, then let your pup choose which cup has the treat in it. The treat is the reward for getting it right, and if they don’t let them keep on trying.
Snuffle mat
Snuffle mats are awesome as they tap into your furkid’s natural sniffing instinct. It is mental stimulation for them while keeping them entertained and slowing down their eating.
Does your furkid love any of these indoor activities? Let us know in the comments below. Keep an eye out for part two of this list.